stertorous

[ stur-ter-uhs ]

adjective

1. characterized by stertor or heavy snoring.
2. breathing in this manner.

stertorous

/ ˈstɜːtərəs /

adjective

1. marked or accompanied by heavy snoring
2. breathing in this way

Derived Forms

• ˈstertorousness, noun
• ˈstertorously, adverb

Other Words From

• sterto·rous·ly adverb
• sterto·rous·ness noun
• post·sterto·rous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stertorous¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; stertor + -ous

Example Sentences

And then Lucy’s breathing became stertorous again, and all at once it ceased.

From Literature

His voice was becoming fainter and his breath more stertorous.

From Literature

There was no need to think them dead, for their stertorous breathing and the acrid smell of laudanum in the room left no doubt as to their condition.

From Literature

It was certainly odd that whenever she got into that lethargic state, with the stertorous breathing, she put the flowers from her; but that when she waked she clutched them close.

From Literature

Each instant he seemed as though he would open his eyes and speak; but then would follow a prolonged stertorous breath, and he would relapse into a more fixed insensibility.

From Literature

Related Words

• discordant
• gravelly
• gruff
• harsh
• raucous
• throaty